Xavier receives $3 million gift from the Schott Family Foundation for new learning commons

The atrium of the new high-tech building will be named for the Schott family | December 1, 2006

The Marge and Charles Schott Family Foundation is contributing $3 million for the construction of a new learning commons on the Xavier campus. The building’s atrium will be named in their honor.

The learning commons is arguably the paramount building in the development of the James E. Hoff, S.J., Academic Quadrangle, a new high-tech, learning-centered addition to campus that will turn Xavier into a national model of excellence for 21st century students. The quad is being created with revenues generated from the University's new $200 million capital campaign, the most ambitious campaign in the school’s history.

The gift from the Schott Foundation is the first gift of the campaign to be publicly announced. Gary Massa, vice president for University relations at Xavier, says the gift underscores the University’s role as a valued partner in the Greater Cincinnati community and, in particular, builds on Marge Schott’s longstanding belief in and support of Catholic education.

“We are truly honored that the Schott foundation chose Xavier University for such a generous gift,” Massa says. “Marge Schott and the Schott family have a long, respected tradition of civic, community and educational support that extends throughout Greater Cincinnati and beyond. We are very appreciative to be included in that tradition.”

This isn’t the first time the Schott family has stepped forward to support Xavier. In 1970, the family built an on-campus residence hall for the University’s Jesuit priests. Today, Schott Hall is an office and administrative building and houses the offices of admission and financial aid.

In addition to the learning commons, the Hoff Academic Quad also includes a new facility to better serve the Williams College of Business, which has become one of the nation’s most dynamic business schools. It also includes the renovation and modernization of the University Library and Alter Hall, the main classroom building on campus.

The Hoff Academic Quad will be located on the academic mall and will create a new entry to the Xavier campus at the corner of Dana and Ledgewood avenues. Construction of the project is slated to begin once a significant portion of the funding goal is secured. The total cost of the project is estimated at $100 million.
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